Israelites Oppressed (continued)

Sargent placed the powerful presence of the Hebrew deity, about to intervene on behalf of the children of Israel, in the upper center of this scene, elevated somewhat above the violent proceedings. Clouds and the wings of cherubim cover God’s face; the deity’s mighty arms reach out to stay the fury of pharaoh and monarch. Thus, in this panel, one God (monotheism) proves victorious over the multitude of gods (polytheism) shown in the ceiling vault above.